Playoff Cuties ’13 Round One

New Year! New Cuties! Ladies, if you didn’t eat your black-eyed peas on January 1st, it’s okay. You can still get lucky with these wonderfully delicious looking fellas who are heading into the next round of the playoffs. They’re talented and excited about getting one step closer to the Lombardi trophy. We’re just as excited to watch them.

Ray Lewis #52, Inside Linebacker, Baltimore Ravens

Ray. No words necessary.

Is it getting hot in here? Good Lawd! This could be the last time we get to see the one-time Super Bowl MVP Ray-Ray take the field and we should all take full advantage of the opportunity. The man who will leave his mark on the game left impressions on women all over. The dimpled smile, the beautiful body and most importantly, the unbridled, smokin’ hot passion. When Ray dances, hearts stop. How did he choose those particular sexy moves?

“Lewis said he drew inspiration from a man in Miami named Kirby Lee, who developed the set of dance steps that became the Squirrel. Early in his career, Lewis told Lee that he would do the dance if he ever had the opportunity. It came soon enough.” I guess he found some time to party while he was down at The U (I’m sure he held it down on the dance floor.)

So bad. So good. So Ray.

Drafted in the first round by the Ravens in 1996, Ray is one of the few current NFL’ers who will be able to say that he played well over a decade (almost two!) with a single team. Over seventeen long but successful years, Lewis anchored a defense that was always ready to dominate. The 13-time Pro-Bowler, 2-time player of the year (the list goes on) just oozes with swagger. He is the last man standing of the team that brought football back to Baltimore. Now, his son will begin his freshman year in 2013 and Ray declared that it is Ray III’s time. All that fineness and a doting father, too? What doesn’t the man do?!

There’s no doubt that Sweet Ray will be ready for postseason play, although many worried that he may not take the field again after he tore his triceps muscle. But that man works hard and no way would he let the team move on without him. “In 17 career playoff games, Lewis has totaled 163 tackles (106 solo), two sacks, six forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, two interceptions for 54 yards, 14 pass deflections, and one touchdown.” [Wikipedia]

It was all great and we’d be remiss if we didn’t discuss the brush with the law in Atlanta following the Super Bowl Party on January 31, 2000. Two men were stabbed to death following an altercation with Ray and his friends. Three men were indicted and Ray was acquitted of all charges. No one knows what really happened, but he’s since walked the straight and narrow.

If you get to Baltimore, you can go find Ray Lewis Way, a street named after the player for his giving spirit. He adopts ten (10) families during the holidays and continues to serve the community through the Ray Lewis 52 Foundation. Just because he’s leaving the active roster, it doesn’t mean that we won’t get to see him every week as a sportscaster. He looks good in a suit, but we’ll missing seeing him in those form-fitting unis.

Charles Woodson #21, Cornerback, Green Bay Packers

Woodson was a Raider for seven years – and he wore the bad boy image well.

Oh my goodness! Where on earth do we start? The man is a beast on the field but he’s also a beautiful specimen. How on earth can something that looks so good be so doggone nasty during the game? Woodson has been to the Big Dance with the Green Bay Packers before and he has a ring to prove it. The man paid his dues during his years with the yo-yoing Oakland Raiders. It doesn’t matter what jersey he wears, he straight dominates! Quarterbacks are afraid to throw anywhere near him for fear of becoming yet another clip on the highlight reel.

Success is nothing new to Woodson, an eight-time Pro Bowler. He won the cherished Heisman Trophy in 1997 and carried his stellar performance to the NFL. In 2009 Charles was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year, but don’t think that the award went to his head. He believed that he was that good before he won the award. Why? Because he works like a man possessed to stay at the

Woodson’s  Wine label.

top of his game. That’s why it was even more painful and surprising to fans when he went down with a broken collarbone earlier in the 2012 season. But true to form, he made his way back to the field in time for the Wild Card game and the difference was immediately noticeable.

There’s so much more to this man than football, though. Did I tell you that he’s a wine lover? The oenophile fell in love with winemaking during the Raiders camps which take place in the beautiful Napa Valley. After being introduced to the process, he invested and joined two professionals to found TwentyFour Wines. At least $10 from every bottle sold goes to support the efforts of his foundation. So that means his lady doesn’t have to suggest a wine with dinner – now that’s sexy.

Those arms are made for hugging.

The handsome hunk is also incredibly giving. In 2009, he donated $2 million – yes million – to the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital to continue pediatric research. Then just last year he donated $100,000 to victims of Hurricane Sandy. So not only does he talk the talk, but he walks the walk (on those sturdy, long legs of his!)  Let’s get back to the fineness.

Sure, the 6’2″, 202 lb. defensive master looks fine in that Packer green and gold – but he looked incredible in the black and silver as he spent the first seven years of his career in Oakland. You never see the guy without thinking that he just left the barber’s chair. He’s also stylish and dapper when he shows off his tailored sports coats.

Thomas DeCoud #28, Free Safety, Atlanta Falcons

Thomas is all business on the field.

Thomas DeCoud may not be a player that you’ve heard of much outside of the Atlanta metro, but we found him! The winner of the Professional Football Writers of America Atlanta chapter Falcons’ 2012 Good Guy Award makes himself available. You mean he makes time for you? I like the sound of that. And guess what else? He’s playful and loves to sing (even if he can’t carry a tune.) So let me get this straight – he’s handsome, playful, talented and on top of all that reliable?!

Wait – it gets better. The brother is smart and hard working, too! During his career at the University of California at Berkeley [Cal], he pushed until noticed and worked hard on a talented team. Scouts still said that “he may never be more than a reserve safety” in the NFL. Ha! Shows what the scouts know. DeCoud did begin his Atlanta Falcons career on special teams but he showed up and out. He was drafted in the third round in 2008. After solid special teams performances during his rookie, he moved up and started all 16 games at the Free Safety position.

Let’s talk muscles. He stands 6’2″ and 192 pounds. You’ll seldom see him without his beard and trademark mohawk. You’ll hear his laughbefore you see him and probably catch him making a goofy, funny face.  But then, he shows us how good you can look after those pro-level workouts. Mmm, Thomas. Enjoy this Atlanta commercial where Thomas shows off his soapy muscles.